How to Iron on Patches, For Perfect Adhesion

Learn how to iron on patches for shirts, jackets, pants, bags, hats, and so much more! Iron-on patches or embroidered patches have a special glue on the back, which is activated by ironing over them. This tutorial will show you how to do iron-on patches and what to do when they don’t stick. It will also answer some of your common questions about ironing embroidered patches.

How to Iron on Patches

Once you have all the items ready and in place, there are 6 general steps to follow when learning how to apply iron-on patches. Always check if yours came with an iron patch instruction booklet.

1. Prepare Your Iron and Fabric
2. Position the Patch
3. Place a Pressing Cloth or Paper
4. Press the Patch
5. Remove the Iron and Check the Patch
6. Flip, Repeat, and Done!

Ironing patches make your fabric-made items look unique, stylish, and personalized. You can also use them to cover up holes, discolorations, stains, and any imperfections. In the past, you needed to sew these embellishments on the fabric, but nowadays, you can find iron-on varieties. Meaning you can attach them to fabric with the help of an iron.

Iron-on patches are easy to attach to a fabric, but that doesn’t mean you won’t need to take some precautions and follow the process recommended by most experts.

Best Fabric for Iron on Patches

When it comes to fabric for iron-on patches, the primary rule is to make sure the care instruction label on the fabric says you can iron the material. If not, you’re better off using sew-in patches because you would damage the fabric.

The best fabrics for iron-on patches to adhere to are made from natural fabrics that are able to take high heat settings. Fabrics such as cotton, denim, and some polyesters are best.

Keep in mind that there are also fabric types that iron-on patches won’t attach to, such as waterproof fabric, vinyl silk, rayon, leather, and nylon. They are not suitable for delicate fabrics.

How to Do Iron-On Patches, Step by Step Instructions

Supplies

Ironing a patch to attach it to the fabric would only require you to use a few items that you already have in your arsenal.

• Embroidered patch
• Iron or heat press
• Ironing board
• Pressing cloth or a piece of clean, white cloth or handkerchief. Parchment paper also works.
• Measuring tape to get the position correct.

1. Prepare Your Iron and Fabric

The first step is to turn off the steamer function of your iron and remove any water or liquid in the reservoir.

Plug your iron and heat it up to the maximum temperature setting the specific fabric can withstand (as stated in the care instructions), especially if the patch is thick. Use the highest heat setting for your fabric to make sure the patch attaches well to the fabric.

Then, lay your fabric on the ironing board. If there are wrinkles and creases on the specific area where you plan to put the patch, it’s better to remove them first.

2. Position the Patch

If your purpose of adding patches is to add personality and design to your fabric instead of covering up imperfections, you need to decide where to put the patch. If you plan to use multiple patches, make sure you have enough room for each patch.

Position the patch carefully in the area where you want to place it, with the adhesive facing down on the fabric. Make sure you position the patch flat, with no creases, and not crooked. Iron on patches can be difficult to pin due to the thick back.

3. Place a Pressing Cloth or Paper

Carefully place a piece of cloth or a sheet of paper on top of the patch, ensuring the patch doesn’t move. The cloth or paper will help protect your design from the direct heat coming from the iron.

4. Iron the Patch Area

Place your iron over the pressing cloth or paper, taking care not to create any movement so that the patch stays put.

Slowly press the iron against the cloth or paper, applying as much pressure as possible but making sure you don’t move the iron. Hold it from 20 to 30 seconds with constant pressure or the recommended time. Some patches can be pressed for up to 60 seconds, so make sure you check the instructions. If you are confident that the patch won’t move, you can use a small circular motion.

The high heat of the iron will melt the adhesive into the fabric.

5. Remove the Iron and Check the Patch

Remove the iron and let the cloth or paper and patch cool down. Then, remove the paper or cloth and check if you’ve successfully attached the patch to your fabric.

You want the patch’s edges lying completely flat on your fabric. If not, get a new piece of clean, white cloth or sheet of paper. Cover the patch again and press it, as discussed in step 4. Remove the iron, and check if it has fused this time.

6. Flip, Repeat, and Done!

Although you’ve already successfully attached the iron-on patch, it’s better to flip your fabric and repeat the whole process on the other side.

If you have a transfer patch, ensure the patch has cooled down completely, about 10 minutes, before removing or peeling off the paper backing.

That’s it! You’re done! You can press the whole fabric and then either keep it in your closet or storage cabinet or wear or use it immediately.

How Do Iron On Patches Work?

Iron-on patches have a heat-activated adhesive on the back. When you place an iron over the patch, the heat will melt the glue, and it will stick to the fabric underneath. These patches work best when using natural fabrics such as cotton, linen, or denim.

Here, you can see the reverse side of the embroidered patch with the glue. It is a little hard to see in this photo, but the back with the glue is shiny when held to the light. Sew-on patches look similar but will not have adhesive on the back.

Types of Iron on Patches

Iron-on patches usually have shiny backing with a special adhesive that gets activated when exposed to heat. If you look at the back of an iron on patch, you will usually see the shiny adhesive underneath.

Iron-on patches can be called iron-on appliques or embroideries and come in different forms. Some of the most popular ones include:

• Embroidered: Thick, stiff embroidery with a plastic-glue-like side (adhesive); best for ripped, stained, and discolored fabric. This is the most common type of iron-on patch and the most durable.
• Leather or PU Leather
• Woven Fabric

How to Fix Iron on Patches That Won’t Stick

You might have attached the iron-on patch securely, but after a few washes, it to starts come off. The simple reason is that the adhesive’s strength becomes weaker.

Unfortunately, you can no longer re-attach the patch using the method discussed above since the special adhesive will no longer work. Fret not! There’s still a way to re-attach it.

Apart from the materials above, you also need an iron-on fabric adhesive that you can purchase in any arts and crafts, and big box stores.

Prepare the iron and fabric similar to the “how to iron patches on most fabric” process discussed above.

Next, apply just enough glue to the adhesive side of the patch. It’s also best to limit the amount of glue you place on the sides. Remember, once you apply pressure or press the iron on the patch, you also flatten the glue, pushing some of them to the sides. Then, just follow steps four to eight as above.

The other alternative to lifting corners is to sew around the patch edges with your sewing machine.

How to Iron on Patches FAQs

Conclusion

Undoubtedly, a patch is among the best items discovered in the world of crafting or sewing. Not only does it enhance the look of a fabric-made item, but it also helps prolong the items’ quality by patching holes.

Iron-on patches might not stay in place as long as sew-in patches, but they are more convenient and easier to attach to most fabric materials. You won’t even need special skills! Ensure you don’t skip reading the fabric care label and the iron-on patch instructions when accomplishing the task. After all, doing things with love and care always gives better results.

• Iron Settings
• How to Iron a Shirt
• Types of Irons
• How to Clean an Iron